#Recycling / Circular Economy

2025-05-22

Reuters: Circ to build landmark €450 million textile recycling plant in France

According to Reuters, U.S.-based recycling company Circ is set to construct what it calls the world’s first industrial-scale facility capable of recycling both cotton and polyester from blended textiles. Backed by the French government and the European Union, the plant will be located in Saint-Avold, northeastern France, and is expected to begin operations in 2028. Once fully operational, it will process up to 70,000 metric tons of material annually and create around 200 jobs.

The €450 million (approximately $500 million) project is being financed through a mix of equity and debt and aims to access additional state support, including France’s Strategic Projects Guarantee. Circ CEO Peter Majeranowski told Reuters that the plant represents a turning point for the textile industry, which struggles with recycling blended fabrics that dominate today’s clothing.

Circ’s hydrothermal technology allows polyester to be broken down without damaging the cotton, enabling both fibers to be recovered and reused in a single process. Retailers such as Inditex (parent company of Zara) and Patagonia have already invested in Circ and are using its recycled materials in their products.

The new facility is intended to serve as a model for future sites around the globe, as demand grows from brands and suppliers working to meet stricter climate and sustainability goals.

Circ announces its first sourcing partnership with H&M Group

Circ®, the only textile-to-textile recycler capable of taking polycotton blends and fully recovering both the polyester and the cellulose for reuse, today announced a collaboration with H&M Group. For the first time, H&M will incorporate Circ’s recycled fibers from polycotton textile waste into its product offerings. The first products debut in Fall 2025, with a womenswear v-neck fleece sweatshirt made with Circ® Polyester and expands in Spring 2026 with menswear denim crafted with TENCEL™ | Circ® with REFIBRA™ Technology.

Niccolò Pasqualetti debuts Circ’s recycled materials at Paris Fashion Week

On October 5, 2025, textile-to-textile recycling innovator Circ® was featured at Paris Fashion Week, collaborating with experimental designer Niccolò Pasqualetti. Two looks from Pasqualetti’s Spring/Summer 2026 Collection were crafted with Circ® Lyocell – with the help of Italian textile mill Tessilgodi – and debuted on the runway, marking the material’s first-ever appearance at Paris Fashion Week.

Patrick McDowell brings Circ’s recycled Polyester filament to the Runway at London Fashion Week

Circ®, a US-based textile-to-textile recycling innovator, is making history at London Fashion Week with renowned designer Patrick McDowell. For the first time, a recycled polyester filament made from polycotton blended fabric waste will appear on the runway on September 20, 2025 in McDowell’s Spring/Summer Collection.

How innovations drive BASF’s success

“Innovation has always been part of BASF’s DNA. Especially in these volatile times, it is crucial to leverage our innovative strength to develop competitive solutions that differentiate us as a company in our markets and give us a competitive edge,” said Dr. Stephan Kothrade, Member of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF and Chief Technology Officer, at the company’s Research Press Briefing held today. To achieve this, BASF implemented its “Winning Ways” strategy about a year ago with the clear goal of becoming the preferred chemical company to enable its customers’ green transformation.

Happy Holidays!

Dear reader, the year 2025 is drawing to a close. We are entering what we hope will be a peaceful holiday season, spending time with our families and taking a moment to pause and reflect. We hope we have been able to support you once again this year with relevant news and articles, and we look forward to surprising you with many innovations in the coming year. Enjoy the festive season, stay healthy, and we wish you a happy and joyful holiday season.

Texpertise Focus AI: Messe Frankfurt puts Artificial Intelligence centre stage at its international textile and apparel trade fairs

Under the banner 'Texpertise Focus AI, Messe Frankfurt will place a strong emphasis on Artificial Intelligence (AI) across its international textile and apparel trade fairs from 2026 onwards, setting a future-shaping signal for the industry. The initiative highlights the responsible use of AI along the entire textile value chain, from fibre production to the point of sale. The programme will launch at Heimtextil in Frankfurt in January 2026.

Autoneum and Polestar set new benchmarks for passenger experience and sustainability

As the global market leader in sustainable acoustic and thermal management, Autoneum is a key supplier of interior and exterior components for the highly anticipated Polestar 5 model. The successful collaboration between Autoneum and Polestar marks a significant milestone in sustainable automotive engineering: the electric grand tourer sports car features several innovations in lightweight, fully recyclable polyester-based components that ensure a superior driving experience. Polestar 5 was revealed at the IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich and is available in 24 markets.